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    The Nativity (1308) by Duccio di Buoninsegna (1299-1319) (link)     Icon by Andrei Rublev (c. 1360-1430, link), Nativity of the Lord (link). The tiny baby Jesus is in the center, his face shining with light ("an incandescent point (of light) in the deep darkness of the fallen world," being Himself what Tolkien called that "Imperishable Flame," by which [...]

    Pope Leo XIV met today with the participants in the Conference "Artificial Intelligence and Care of Our Common Home" (@VATICAN MEDIA).     He delivered an address to the conference which outlines his deep concern over the possible negative consequences, or even evil misuse, of artificial intelligence (AI) (full text below)     “Artificial intelligence has certainly opened up new [...]

        Letter #99, 2025, Tuesday, December 2: Giving Tuesday 2          Dear friend,     Thank You for Supporting Us on Giving Tuesday – It’s Not Too Late to Give!     A heartfelt thank you to all who have already contributed to our Giving Tuesday campaign!     Your generous gifts, kind words, and ongoing support are what make it possible [...]

   Pope Leo's 3-day visit to Lebanon included a 5-minute prayer at the tomb of St. Charbel (below)     Letter #98, 2025, Tuesday, December 2: Airplane Press Conference     As Pope Leo Flew Back to Rome Today Following His 1st Papal Trip to Turkey and Lebanon, He Held a Press Conference     Pope Leo revealed today something about his personal [...]

    “The glory of God is man alive, but the life of man is the vision of God.” —St Irenaeus of Lyons, c. 180 A.D.     Letter #97, 2025, Tuesday, December 2: Giving Tuesday     Dear friend,     Greetings!     For more than 32 years, we have been publishing Inside the Vatican magazine. The "Zero Issue" was in April 1993, although [...]

    Pope Leo, reading his final farewell message to the Lebanese people as he left Lebanon today, following a 3-day visit which included a 5-minute prayer at the tomb of St. Charbel (below)     The Pope visited the De La Croix hospital on his last morning in Lebanon. He made his remarks to the staff and patients [...]

    Pope Leo, praying in front of the tomb of the great Lebanese saint, St. Charbel (photo below), in Lebanon today.     Letter #95, 2025, Monday, December 1: On Day #5 of Pope Leo's 1st Papal Trip, He Prayed Before the Tomb of St. Charbel     Pope Leo today prayed in front of the tomb of St. Charbel. [...]

    Pope Leo XIV today spoke with journalists aboard the papal plane bound for Beirut, Lebanon, following more than three days in Turkey. On the flight, he spoke of the Vatican's view that a Palestinian state in the Holy Land is needed to bring peace to the region     ***     Letter #94, 2025, Sunday, Nov 30, Feast [...]